A fresh controversy has erupted in Pakistan after remarks attributed to Asim Munir prompted sharp criticism, with opponents accusing the military establishment of deepening sectarian divides and suppressing dissent in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).
In a video statement, Senge Sering, president of the Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies, condemned the comments allegedly directed at Shia Muslims, saying they amounted to a demand that people prove their loyalty or leave for Iran. Sering warned that such rhetoric reflects growing intolerance within Pakistan’s power structures and fuels a dangerous narrative against minorities.
Sering also accused the Pakistan Army of prioritising financial and strategic interests over citizens’ welfare. He alleged that the military has at times supported militant networks for geopolitical leverage, leaving ordinary people to bear the human cost of instability and violence. Those patterns, he said, raise urgent questions about military accountability and the commitment to national unity.
Describing PoGB as under prolonged occupation for decades, Sering said local communities are increasingly resisting the military presence and calling for greater autonomy. He urged Shia and Sunni communities to come together to protect their identity, resources and political rights.
Sering further criticised shifts in Pakistan’s foreign-policy posture toward countries such as Iran, arguing that changes driven by financial or strategic motives erode minority trust. He reiterated that PoGB is not constitutionally integrated into Pakistan, called for more international attention to the region’s status, and encouraged residents to strengthen regional and socio-cultural ties with neighbouring areas such as Ladakh.
The remarks arrive amid growing concerns over sectarian tensions and governance challenges in the region. This report is based on a syndicated feed.
